Planetary Boundaries and Saving the Amazon Rainforest

Dr Silvia Serrao-Neumann, Griffith University, Australia

Planetary Boundaries

(source: Rockström et al, 2009)

The Belo Monte Hydro-electrical Complex

Source: Fearnside 2006

Original project: 2 large dams – 14,500 km2

inundated Submersion of 1 whole indigenous

territory 6,000 people displaced 4 additional upstream dams Total area inundated: 22,000 km2

12 indigenous groups affected

Revised project: 1 smaller dam – 400 km2

inundated No impact on indigenous territory 5,000 people affected

The Region – Xingu River Basin

Projected Inundated Area - BMHC

Source: Seva 2005

BMHC – Construction Site

Source: Seva 2005

Planned Dams BMHC

Indigenous territory

Proposed dams

The Region – Indigenous Reservations

Source: Instituto SocioAmbiental

Earth System Governance

Global

commons

Source: Instituto SocioAmbiental

Source: Albras

Re-territorialise / de-territorialise

Source: Instituto SocioAmbiental